Rhiannon Hendricks
The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was the subject of much speculation. While some questioned whether the monarch would attend the ceremony, given her absence at her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, it was later confirmed by Buckingham Palace that she would be present at her grandson's nuptials. The Queen's decision to attend the wedding, despite Markle's status as a divorcée, reflected a potential shift in attitudes within the royal family and highlighted the evolution of societal norms. The choice of venue, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, also offered convenience for the ageing monarch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | May 19 |
| Venue | St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Bride | Meghan Markle |
| Groom | Prince Harry |
| Queen's attendance | Confirmed |
| Reason for concern | Bride's previous marriage |
| Queen's age | 91 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Queen attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
- The Queen did not attend Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding
- The Queen's absence at her son's wedding was due to her position as Defender of the Faith
- The Queen's attendance at her grandson's wedding was confirmed by Buckingham Palace
- The Queen's attendance was highly anticipated due to her role as Governor of the Church of England
The Queen attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on 19 May 2018 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance, as is customary for royal weddings. The Queen, as the most senior member of the royal family, traditionally arrives last at events and engagements. However, in the case of weddings, she tends to depart for the ceremony last but arrives just before the bride.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were photographed arriving at the chapel at 11:52 am, adhering to the tradition of arriving last among the royal family. They were followed shortly after by Markle, who arrived with a party of junior attendants. The Queen, known for her vibrant and colourful ensembles, wore an eye-catching shade for her grandson's wedding. She was seated next to her husband, Prince Philip, during the ceremony.
The wedding ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England. Approximately 250 members of the British Armed Forces were involved in the wedding, with the majority coming from units connected to Prince Harry. The public started arriving at the grounds of Windsor Castle as early as 8:00 am, and the main congregation and guests began arriving at the chapel at 9:30 am.
The Queen hosted the first reception for those attending the ceremony in St George's Hall after the carriage procession. Singer Elton John performed for the guests, and a second reception was also held.
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The Queen did not attend Prince Charles and Camilla's wedding
The Queen did not attend the civil wedding ceremony of her son, then-Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker Bowles, now the King and Queen. The groom's parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were not among the guests at the intimate ceremony, held at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005.
The Queen's absence was due to her position as head of the Church of England. As "fidei defensor" or "Defender of the Faith", she felt it was not appropriate to attend the wedding of two divorced people. The Church does not usually permit the remarriage of divorced persons while their spouse is still alive.
The Queen did, however, attend the Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel, along with 800 other guests, and hosted a reception for the couple at Windsor Castle.
The Queen's absence from the civil ceremony was recreated in the final season of Netflix's "The Crown", which debuted in late 2023.
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The Queen's absence at her son's wedding was due to her position as Defender of the Faith
The title "Defender of the Faith" has been used by British monarchs since it was first granted to King Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in 1521. The title reflects the sovereign's position as the supreme governor and head of the Church of England. As such, the Queen's absence at her son's wedding was due to her position as Defender of the Faith.
Queen Elizabeth II did not attend the wedding of her eldest son, then-Prince Charles, to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The Queen's decision was reportedly due to her position as the head of the Church of England, which traditionally disapproves of remarriages. As Defender of the Faith, the Queen takes her duty to uphold the values and teachings of the Church seriously. In the case of remarriage, the Church of England teaches that marriage is a "covenant with God" and, therefore, should be forever.
At the time of Prince Charles' wedding, the Queen reportedly stated that her position as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church did not permit her attendance at the civil ceremony. This decision was consistent with her previous actions, as she also did not attend the first half of the Prince of Wales' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles due to her commitment to the Church's values.
The Queen's absence at her son's wedding was a notable event, and there was some speculation around her decision not to attend. However, as the monarch and Defender of the Faith, the Queen's primary duty is to uphold the values and teachings of the Church of England. In the case of remarriage, the Queen's position as Defender of the Faith took precedence over her personal family ties.
While the Queen did not attend the wedding ceremony, she and her husband, Prince Philip, hosted a wedding reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle. They also attended the service of dedication following the wedding, demonstrating their support for Prince Charles and his new wife, Camilla.
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The Queen's attendance at her grandson's wedding was confirmed by Buckingham Palace
However, times have changed, and the royal family themselves have become more liberal in their attitudes, with the heir to the throne being a divorcé married to a divorcée. Additionally, the Church of England has also evolved, voting in 2002 for a motion permitting the marriage of divorcees in church under certain circumstances. While the Queen did not publicly confirm her attendance, it was widely expected that she would be present at her grandson's wedding.
The choice of venue, St. George's Chapel, was also convenient for the Queen, who, at 91, spends a great deal of time at her home in Windsor Castle. The chapel is located within the castle's grounds, providing privacy for the royal family on the wedding day. The reception was held in the castle's grand St. George's Hall, which is traditionally used for state banquets.
The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a significant and expected aspect of the ceremony, with Buckingham Palace confirming her presence and putting to rest any concerns that she would miss the event.
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The Queen's attendance was highly anticipated due to her role as Governor of the Church of England
The Queen's attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was highly anticipated. She is the Governor of the Church of England, a denomination of the Christian faith created by her ancestor, King Henry VIII. As the Supreme Governor, she takes her position and duty as Defender of the Faith very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that she did not attend the first half of her son Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles, as the Church does not usually permit the remarriage of divorced persons while their spouse is still alive.
The Queen's absence from her son's wedding was seen as a potential indication that she might not attend Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, a divorced actress. However, it was later confirmed by Buckingham Palace that the Queen would be in attendance. This was partly due to the more intimate setting of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, which is located within the castle grounds and offered the royal family more privacy. The chapel also holds a special significance for Prince Harry, as he was christened there in 1984, and according to Church of England rules, he could marry there as well.
The Queen's presence at her grandson's wedding was also significant because of her role as the head of the Church of England. While the Church traditionally does not permit the remarriage of divorced persons, it had evolved to accept that "in exceptional circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse." This change in stance may have influenced the Queen's decision to attend, recognising that some marriages do fail and that the Church should be available for all involved.
The Queen's attendance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was, therefore, highly anticipated and newsworthy due to her role as Governor of the Church of England and her previous absence from her son's wedding. Her presence signalled a potential evolution in attitudes and a willingness to adapt to changing times.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Queen attended the wedding of her grandson, Prince Harry, to Meghan Markle.
The Queen's absence at her son's wedding may be due to her position as Defender of the Faith and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The Church does not permit the remarriage of divorced persons while their spouse is still alive.
The Queen did not publicly confirm her attendance at Prince Harry's wedding. It is possible that her absence at Prince Charles' wedding was due to a difference in their positions in the royal family. Harry is the "spare" to William's "heir".
